"pm-modi"

The meeting comes amid reports of healthcare personnel feeling overwhelmed in some parts of the country due to the surge in the COVID-19 cases.

Sources said the pandemic and the response of the government is likely to be discussed in the virtual meet.

Polling began at 7 am on Thursday for 35 seats in the eighth phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal amid the surging second wave of COVID-19.

An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hit Assam on Wednesday morning, causing widespread damage in the Northeast state.

The over 30-minute monthly broadcast was entirely focussed on the pandemic, which has been rampaging across the country for weeks

On his previous Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister lauded corona-warriors and the discipline of the people during last year's Janata curfew.

Modi said villages should follow the guidelines issued by the government and people should also get themselves vaccinated.

Chief ministers of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are among those who attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday said that today's circumstances, the need is to save the country from lockdown.

"I want to thank our doctors and all our healthcare workers for working non-stop in this fight against COVID-19 pandemic," he said

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 1.50-crore mark with a record single-day rise of 2,73,810.

Top officers from various ministries will participate in the meeting scheduled for 8 pm on Saturday

He also tweeted a campaign video of the BJP, which is locked in a keen contest with the ruling TMC in the West Bengal assembly elections.

He said the role of skilled youth is continuously increasing as India walks the path of 'aatmanirbharta' (self- reliance).

Class 10 and 12 exams are set to begin from May 4 amid demand by some leaders, that they be cancelled amid an alarming rise in the COVID-19 cases across the country.

Different parts of the country are celebrating new year as per Hindu traditions and also their traditional calendars.

Born on April 14, 1891, Babasaheb Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables (Dalits).

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on April 13, 1919 when troops of the British Indian Army fired machine guns into a crowd of unarmed protesters and pilgrims.

Modi wished people on Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Navreh and Cheti Chand -- new year festivals celebrated by people of different regions.

"Anyone eligible for the vaccine should get the jab, and for this the society and administration have to make full efforts," he said.